Travelling for Ramadan

Traveling abroad during Ramadan is a rewarding experience, but can also present challenges; here are some tips for careful preparation to ensure a safe and healthy trip

Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, with many people travelling abroad to visit friends and family [1]. In 2025, this holy month is expected to begin on Friday 28 February and is due to end on Sunday 30 March 2025. These are approximate dates, as the official start of Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, so depends on sighting of the moon [2].

In 2024, during Ramadan a total of 30 million pilgrims performed Umrah, the Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 13.5 million of these pilgrims were international travellers, including United Kingdom (UK) residents [3].

Advice for travellers

Before you travel

Check our TravelHealthPro Country Information pages for advice about recommended vaccines, mosquito spread infections such as dengue, malaria and respiratory illnesses like MERS-CoV at your destination.

See your GP, practice nurse, pharmacist or travel clinic to make sure all your recommended travel and routine UK vaccines, including flu, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and polio, diphtheria and tetanus are in date and to check if you need malaria prevention tablets.

Even if time is short, last-minute advice is still helpful as vaccines and malaria tablets can be given just before travel. If you have any medical conditions, discuss your travel plans with your doctor or hospital specialist.

Travel health insurance - arrange appropriate foreign travel health insurance before you travel. This should cover your whole trip, all destinations, all pre-existing conditions, medicines and any planned activities. Make sure you are prepared for carrying medication abroad especially if you regularly take prescribed drugs.

Check Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) foreign travel advice for information on safety and security at your destination.

Be aware of your personal safety during your trip.

Observance of Ramadan varies in different countries and cultures. Check FCDO travel advice and the relevant British embassy website for more information.

If you are travelling to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan for Umrah, see our advice for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims and country information for Saudi Arabia.

While you are away

Be aware of how Ramadan is observed in the country you're visiting, as different rules may apply; in some Muslim countries it is illegal to eat and drink in daylight during Ramadan. Be considerate of people who are fasting and always respect the rules of Ramadan in public. Get local advice when you arrive from your family, hotel, tour guide or if appropriate, business contacts [2].

The FCDC also provides advice about travelling during Ramadan [2].

If you are fasting during your trip:

• Drink plenty of fluids during your non-fasting period
• Eat well-balanced meals in the evening [4]

Reduce your risk of injury and illness by:

• Taking sensible personal safety precautions around water and while driving, using public transport or taxis
• Washing your hands frequently and respecting any additional public health measures required by local authorities during the festive season and beyond
• Following food and water hygiene advice
• Avoiding insect bites
• Using appropriate sun protection

Make sure you know where the nearest hospital or clinic is, especially if you have specific health issues. If you develop a fever, have bloody diarrhoea or any other worrying symptoms abroad, get urgent medical help locally. Remember to contact your insurance company when you get a chance and keep any receipts.

When you return

If malaria tablets were recommended for your trip, remember to complete the full course, including any tablets you are due to take when you get home.

If you develop symptoms like a fever, a flu like illness and severe headache, you must get urgent medical help. This is especially important if you visited countries with a malaria risk. Remember to tell your doctor/health professional that you have been abroad, including details of all the countries you visited. If you visited a malaria risk area, you need an urgent same-day result malaria blood test.

If you develop a cough or other respiratory symptoms when you get home, follow current guidance about respiratory tract infections.

Advice for health professionals

Health professionals advising those who plan to travel internationally for Ramadan can check our Country Information pages for vaccine recommendations and specific risk advice.